[JAN. 30, 2006]URBANA -- What do you get when you cross a
machete with a cutlass?

No one knows for sure, but a University of Illinois student aims to
find out as he attempts to improve the ergonomics of cutting tools
used by manual laborers in Guyana and South Africa.

Clairmont
Clementson, a graduate student from Guyana, is studying the cutlass
used by laborers in Guyana, as well as the machete, the cutting tool
of choice in South Africa.

"Guyana and South Africa both grow a lot of sugar cane, and most
of it gets cut manually," said Alan Hansen, Clementson's adviser and
a U of I professor of agricultural and biological engineering. "We
wanted to explore the similarities and differences between the tools
used by the two countries."

Hansen, a native of South Africa, returned there last summer and
took video footage of laborers cutting cane. He also shipped back a
machete to use for the research. Meanwhile, Clementson visited
Guyana, where he shot footage and shipped back a cutlass.

When Hansen and Clementson studied the footage from both
countries, they saw differences in the two blades that will aid them
in developing a new tool.

"The machete has a blade that makes a horizontal cut," said
Hansen. "You don't have to stoop as much, but it makes an impact cut
that is very jarring. The cutlass has a curved blade that creates a
slicing action. It's not quite as jarring, but you have to stoop
more."

"There are benefits and disadvantages for each one," said
Clementson. "We can use that information in the final tool design."

Clementson has taken a course in biomechanics, said Hansen, which
will aid him in analyzing the stresses involved in cutting and
bending.

Clementson also plans to get hands-on experience with cutting
sugar cane.

"We're growing sugar cane in the greenhouses here, and we've
built a test bench where we will do a simulation of the cutting
action," said Clementson. "The test equipment will estimate the
amount of force that needs to be applied to cut the sugar cane. That
information will give us an understanding as to the amount of stress
and strain that's created within the body."

Hansen sees this project as an opportunity to build on research
started by students he took to South Africa on a study tour two
years ago. Those students worked on modifications to existing
machetes to improve their efficiency.

Clementson says his motivation is to be able to apply technology
to improve the agricultural production system in Guyana.

"I've seen how we can use engineering techniques and principles
to come up with a tool that will offer significant benefits to the
work force in Guyana's sugar cane industry," he concluded.

For his study in the United States, Clementson received a
scholarship from LASPAU, a nonprofit organization affiliated with
Harvard University that designs, develops and implements academic
and professional exchange programs in the United States, Canada,
Latin America and the Caribbean. His research is also funded in part
by the University of Illinois Campus Research Board.